Anna Shilongo
14 May 2008
Windhoek — Unmanaged and poorly planned travel and tourism is said to pose serious threats to the future of Africa, especially on the environment, cultures, local customs and the natural resources of host countries.
This has also resulted in the industry posing a seriously impact on the sustainability of Africa and its communities.
As a result, an international campaign to raise awareness of the impact that travel and tourism have on Africa was yesterday launched in South Africa.
The Heritage Environmental Management Company has introduced the international campaign, which aims at reducing the impact of in-bound tourism on Africa.
It also aims to raise awareness of the impact that travel and tourism have on communities and fragile eco-systems around the continent among in-bound travellers, travel companies and tour operators.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Managing Director of Heritage Environmental Management Company, Greg McManus, said there is a growing international recognition for the challenges posed by global warming and climate change on Africa
Thus, McManus was hopeful that the campaign would influence and change the way in which visitors, travel-related businesses and national tourism authorities experience, manage and promote Africa as a sustainable destination.
"If visitors to this continent can be encouraged to reduce their consumption of energy, water and other natural resources; to become more sensitive of the needs and values of host communities then the continent would be free from these challenges," he said.
It is in this light that he encourages visitors to take steps in preserving the cultural integrity and diversity of destinations as well as reduce their waste during their travels in the continent.
"Enormous volumes of water, energy and other non-renewable resources can be released for the development of the continent, if visitors adhere to the rules," he stressed.
By doing so he believes the cultural strengths and unique characteristics of countries around the continent would be strengthened and developed.
"Financial contributions and the development opportunities offered through tourism could also be enhanced and developed to the benefit of all Africans irrespective of their nationality," said McManus.
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thanks for this article,
I would like to talk also of the International Day for Responsible Tourism which will be organize wordwide on June 2d.
This Event is organized by the International Coalition for Responsible Tourism which is composed by more than 350 NGO in 90 countries. Our aim is change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment by the interest of Responsible Tourism.
Please visit www.ong-citrr.com for more information.
M. Guillaume Cromer